The criminal justice system is no stranger to defendants with past convictions – even several so-called “priors.”

But could someone really have 49 convictions?

Meet Leslie Topping, 53, of Albany, a parolee who pleaded guilty to heroin charges before two judges Thursday in Albany County Court.

Topping, known as “Les,” tried to sell 10 bags of heroin to an informant on Park Avenue on April 14 – then was nabbed trying to sell 32 more bags of heroin the next day outside a Stewart’s shop on Morton Avenue. And when investigators went to his home on Delaware Terrance, they found 19 more bags of heroin.

The last time Topping went to prison? It was seven years – for selling heroin. It’s part of a rap sheet that spans 58 pages.

At age 53, Topping now has almost as many convictions as years he has been alive. And that list includes six felonies.

Contrast this story to today’s “story” about Jeff Tucker, who we are supposed to feel sorry for because he has had to put his $18 million farm up for sale. Tucker made scores of millions providing “due diligence” for hedge fund investors and then put his investors into the Madoff funds for billions. He got millions and millions for this “due diligence”.

Unlike this criminal with a 50 page rap sheet, Tucker made his millions, has no rap sheets and is presented as a victim. Great work.

Obviously, the judges can’t count to 3 strikes your out.
I worked in a jail for many years, alot of these types of people don’t know any other way of life, so they keep doing what they are doing.
I say, lets build 1000 jails and not parole anybody. Nothing is worse than seeing a criminal with a wrap sheet a mile long committing horrible crimes against young an old. I saw we hold the judges and parole board liable for repeat offenders, then maybe they will keep these guys locked up.

This is BS…..
an upstading citizen caught speeding pays a $150. fine. hurts the ourse for those of us that work for a living…
this scumbag deals drus most of his life, and is released back to society to continue.. and you wonder why all these kids are addicts…. this is a perfect example..
at what point in the criminal history does the system say okay no more deals.. we’re done making deals with you, while you continue on the same path…
come on.. put this scumbag away for the rest of his life….

There’s a creep in Tampa Fla. who shot and killed two police officers, both in the head. Luckily he was caught and won’t see the light of day ever again. He had 43 prior felonies for assault in different degrees. If he had been locked up, the killings of these police officers would have never happened.
The same goes on everywhere it seems.